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Astrophysics > Earth and Planetary Astrophysics

Title:Orbits of Potential Pluto Satellites and Rings Between Charon and Hydra

Abstract: Pluto and its five known satellites form a complex dynamic system. Here we
explore where additional satellites could exist exterior to Charon (the
innermost moon) but interior of Hydra (the outermost). We also provide
dynamical constraints for the masses of the known satellites. We show that
there are significant stable regions interior of Styx and between Nix and
Kerberos. In addition, we show that coorbitals of the known small satellites
are stable, even at high inclinations, and discuss mass constraints on
undiscovered satellites in such orbits.